PARTY TRUCE?

Evening Star, Issue 24007, 4 October 1941, Page 8

PARTY TRUCE?

PROSPECTS OF AVOIDING ELECTION BRIGHTER PREMIER AND NATIONAL LEADER CONFER LARGER WAR CABINET POSSIBLE (Special.) WELLINGTON, October 4. Until yesterday afternoon it seemed as if the political situation was drifting inevitably towards a General Election, but overnight there is a complete change in the prospects. _ As a consequence of the Prime Minister’s invitation to the Leader of the Opposition to discuss matters, it is thought to-day that the prospect of avoiding an election is perceptibly brightening. _ Close observers are now calling attention to the significance of the Prime Minister's long delay in announcing a final decision. Did he know more than most New Zealanders that the war situation closely concerning our own expeditionary force was likely to become a vital factor, and that something might develop which would strongly reinforce the general opinion of the outside publio that elections just now are out of place? Recent cables from Cairo support that view, and it is no secret that [the Prime Minister has not been been about an immediate election. Equally important is the feeling,of the Opposition Party on the subject. It seems to be admitted that a National Government would not be acceptable to the Government members, and therefore, a possible solution along that line is not regarded as practicable. The an enlargement of the War Cabinet. ’ Up till now Mr Holland has declined to accept that position, for as Opposition Leader he and his party felt it imperative that the Government trends in domestic egislation must he fought at all costs. Therefore no arrangement of any kind would be palatable to' the’ National Party without a clear understanding that there would be-no more controversial legislation. The ■ passing of the medical practitioner scheme is the completion of the Government’s originalelection programme, and there should be no difficulty in avoiding causes of domestic contention during the period of political truce. How long the elections would be deferred is not certain, though there is reason to believe that the- majority of members on both sides ' would favour postponement for a substantial period, even for the duration of the war. They may prefer legislating for a short period with the understanding that if the plan works smoothly in achieving complete unity and co-opera-tion of war aims, with no, awkward clashes over administration, the ponement could be reviewed before the end of the period, assuming that the war was continuing. ’